Who is the true author of the night? Poe. Who invented horror? Poe. Who pioneered the detective tale, set in mud and gloom? Poe. Who, even, in ‘The Unparalleled Adventures of One Hans Pfaal’, which describes a journey to the moon, invented science fiction? Poe. A noun cannot contain the man. The should be a verb, ‘to poe’. It would signify contemplation of the night. Night both literal and figurative. ‘I poed along the embankment.’ ‘They left me to poe in my cell.’ ‘Often have I had cause to poe on the nature of this man’s heart, double-dyed in inky deeds.’

Night is not what it used to be. In today’s age of 24/7 Twitter, smartphones under the pillow and car alarms, it is easy to forget the power, the fun and the magic of what was once called the witching hour.

Rediscover the joys and the mysteries of the night with these 102 surprising, witty and even inspirational pieces on every subject under the moon, from moths to meditation, badgers to boudoirs, Hopkins to hedgehogs.

At Night is the perfect nocturnal companion, whether on a ramble through the sleeping city or on a journey into the furthest reaches of your past self.

No self-respecting night owl should be without it.